Ornithology of the Crimea i^c. 229 



I saw Sea-Eagles [Haliaetus albicilla) frequently in Balaklava 

 Bay, where the lofty cliffs afforded a suitable refuge for them. 

 I also observed several fine adult birds with white tails near 

 Koslou, on the coast of Asia Minor, where there are also lofty 

 cliffs. Both the common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the 

 Lesser Kestrel [F. cenchris) were common about the ravines 

 leading from the camp to Sevastopol. They were eaten by the 

 French whenever obtainable. Black Kites [Milvus migrans, 

 Bodd.) were most abundant about Constantinople, breeding in 

 the trees in the courts of the mosques, where they are never 

 disturbed by the Turks. I noticed several nests on the same 

 tree. I saw the Marsh-Harrier {Circus an-uginosus) on the 

 extensive marshes near Ismid, on the Sea of Marmora. I re- 

 member seeing Owls in the dusk of the evening in and about 

 the camp in the Crimea, but never obtained a specimen. My 

 list of Raptores here ends, and is certainly scanty, my atten- 

 tion having been chiefly devoted to the game-birds and water- 

 fowl. 



Both the Lesser Grey Shrike {Lanius minor, Gmel.) and Red- 

 backed Shrike {Lanius collurio) I found abundant in the spring 

 of 1855 near the camp, and also the Barred Warbler {Curruca 

 nisoria). My principal hunting-ground was on the battle-field 

 of Inkerman, especially in the ravines, where a good deal of 

 scrubby bush still i-emained. I was usually followed by French 

 soldiers, who acted as retrievers, and darted into the bushes to 

 look for the slain as soon as the gun was fired, often very much 

 to the detriment of the specimen. 



The Blue Rock-Thrush {Petrocincla cyanea) I saw in Crete ; 

 the Golden Oriole {Oriolus galbida) was common in the Crimea, 

 though I do not remember seeing any. I «aw some, however, 

 in the vicinity of Constantinople. 



In Crete I saw the Stonechat {Saxicola rubicola), and the 

 Wheatear {S. oenanthe) in the Crimea. When I went, on the 

 4th of May, with the first expedition to Kertch, which returned 

 without effecting a landing, several examples of the Willow- 

 Warbler flew on board the steamer I was in. A Nightjar, 

 a Hoopoe, several Redstarts, and Doves also came on board. 



The Great Tit {Parus major) was observed at Constantinople. 



